eTextile Sweatshop

To support artists working with eTextiles, V2_ installs a temporary workshop space exclusively dedicated to the production of eTextiles. We bring together rapid prototyping machines typically found in so-called Fablabs with machines common to the production of textiles.

21

Nov 2012

-

29

Nov 2012

location:
V2_, Eendrachtsstraat 10, Rotterdam

eTextiles are fabrics with embedded electronic components and form a vibrant territory for artistic exploration and innovation. However, facilities to produce textiles and electronics professionally seldom go hand-in-hand, making it difficult for artists to coordinate eTextiles creation. To support artists working with eTextiles, V2_ will install a temporary workshop space exclusively dedicated to the production of eTextiles. This eTextile Sweatshop will bring together rapid prototyping machines typically found in so-called Fablabs with machines common to the production of textiles. Besides open access to artists working with eTextiles, V2_ is offering an extensive workshop and masterclass program. In this program, leading artists, expert users, and creative communities dealing with eTextiles will transfer their skills and expertise through meetings, demonstrations, and hands-on production in the eTextile Sweatshop. The results will be presented in a special edition of Test_Lab, November 29.

The Punch Couture workshop explores the artistic possibilities of self-made punch cards for knitting machines. Participants create their own punch cards using laser- and vinyl cutters, and knit the result under the guidance of artists Ebru Kurbak and Irene Posch.

Designing for the loop is a two-day workshop that focuses on eco-conscious eTextile design, developed by artists Mika
Satomi and Hannah Perner-Wilson in collaboration with sustainability expert Andreas
Köhler. Participants debate issues of sustainability in eTextile design on the basis of several hands-on experiments, such as designing a recyclable eTextile and conducting life-cycle analysis.

This edition of Test_Lab marks the end of V2_’s week-long eTextile Sweatshop and highlights some of its products. Ultimately, Test_Lab: eTextile Sweatshop demonstrates how easing access to facilities and promoting the sharing of skills can stimulate innovation and good practice in the arts.

This edition of Test_Lab, marking the end of V2_’s week-long eTextile Sweatshop, will demonstrate how easing access to facilities and promoting the sharing of skills can stimulate innovation and good practice in the arts.

The betaKnit research took a first step towards a full integration of electronics within textiles, whereas current wearable projects mainly use electronic components mounted on the surface of textiles. With the prospect of being able to create ...

"Punch Couture' (2012) is an artistic research project by Ebru Kurbak and Irene Posch It investigates the potentials of using punch card operated domestic knitting machines in combination with current digital and physical fabrication techniques and ...